Chapter 12:

"'Unanchored Portals'?"

I questioned the PH.D in computer science, Tatsuya Ishihara, who leaned lazily behind his desk with a coffee mug in his right hand. Although having an enthusiasm for theoretical science that befit a man of his position, Ishihara was far from a devoted worker. His half-hour lunch break often extended another thirty minutes simply because of how invested he was in conversations dabbling in the nature of inter-dimensional science.

Since the death of the Ichinoses, much of the organization's most significant research was being conducted in silence. Dr. Hideki Hiromu insisted an understood goal and shared sense of purpose during work hours produced greater results then spending periods of time discussing future projects.

I understood his opinion. Nevertheless, I was suspicious at how well Dr. Hiromu could fill the Ichionse's mantle.

"Yes," his lips sparked with knowledgeable glee. "Here, we're developing a dimensional portal that would be able to form a bridge of sorts between two sections of dimensional space. As you know, we are basing our R&D plans off the 'many-worlds interpertation'. If this indeed exists, we'd need to find a way to connect the portal solidly on both ends. That way, when we travel through, we know where we're headed. This ideal realization of our research is called an 'Anchored Portal'."

Nodding, I motion for Ishihara to continue. "I am as aware of the machine's intended purpose as you are. Please explain what this 'Unanchored Portal' is."

"I was hoping you'd ask," he chuckled as he shuffled a thick stack of papers. "In order to traverse dimensional space, we would not only have to break through our world's space time continuum, we would also have to break through and find a vocal point inside another dimension's barrier. To do this, we would have to generate a tremendous amount of power." He let his rectangular glasses slip down his nose. "Obtaining this much energy has always been my greatest concern with this project."

I frowned. "You still haven't answered my question. What is an 'Unanchored Portal'?"

"Alright, let's say we built this machine as Dr. Hiromu has drawn it up. If we did, the machine should be able to draw enough power from the small, inconsequential pocket dimensions that the Ichinoses spoke of to break through the barrier in our universe. However, if we failed to generate enough power to reach the pocket of dimensional space we desired to get to, we'd end up with an 'Unanchored Portal'."

Crossing my arms, I sipped at the decaf coffee in my hands. For the sake of preventing eccentric outbursts, I'd limited my caffeine consumption to the times I stayed at the Ichinoses. "I know what you're getting at; without enough power to break through the void, a person would be entering a portal without assurance he or she would end up where he wished to go."

"Exactly," smirking, he pushed his glasses back up his face. "I'm under the impression that in between the space time continuums of various dimensions exists an interdimensional space through which various worlds exists. If someone walked through an unanchored portal, they might be able to inexplicably pass through the barrier, effectively confusing the barrier into thinking he or she belongs. This is what geeks like me call 'sliding'."

I walked around the organized office desks over to his seat. "Does this seem likely?"

"That's what I think, but again, we're dealing in theoretical science," he stared at an article elaborating on SERN's 'Large Hydron Collider' development team. "It's equally possible that an unanchored portal has a definite chance of bringing you to another dimension, and that interdimensional space doesn't exit. If that's the case, the only difference between an anchored and unanchored portal would be one brings you to a definite location and has a twin in that location you can use to get home. An unanchored portal, meanwhile, drops you off in a random dimension with no way of getting back unless another scientist finds a way."

"Interesting," I sipped my coffee again. "Do you believe travelling to another dimension and time travel have anything to do with each other?"

"No," he shakes his head, dismissive of the implication. "As far as we know, the past is only as real as memories and artifacts. Meanwhile, the future is always being shaped into the present every day. While there might be a way to travel to the future or past or future, such a device would require altering the fabric of dimensional space, rather than simply constructing a railway system between other dimensions. I theorize that if we changed the future in any particular dimension, time would be reset so that every dimension was occurring at the exact same time."

I slowly digested his musings. "So, in short, time is the only absolute consistency between different dimensions?"

"Yes," he snapped his fingers. "When we were in the pre-planning phase, the Ichinoses had always said they were only interested in exploring other dimensions rather than tampering with them."

"What about tampering with pocket dimensions?" I raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that affecting dimensional space?"

"It's very unlikely those minutes packets of space have people in them; after all, we may be unique, but we're only a small part of the whole of reality."

"Does Dr. Hiromu have anything to say about your theories?"

"Of course I do,"

Dr. Hiromu entered from his office at the right wall of the facility. Although I felt he exaggerated how telling his credentials were, I could even see in his stride why people trusted him. He exuded confidence without displaying cockiness; he displayed initiative without betraying impulsiveness. Each step he took perfectly followed the location of the previous foot. And, somehow, he was able to make all of this clear to everyone in the room without appearing boastful.

"After all, much of Ishihara's scientific theorems were evidenced from research done by the subdivision of researchers I lead when the Ichinoses were still alive."

For a moment, Tatsuya sneered. Dr. Hiromu had a habit of downplaying other people's accomplishments when he entered a room.

"But enough of that; break is over," he performed one solid clap. "Continue working,"

The room filled with the sound of tapped keys. I started to head to my cubicle when Dr. Hiromu placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Yamada-san, can you see me in my office?"

Combined with the usage of my first name, Dr. Hiromu's gesture was extremely effective. Still, I retained my stoic demeanor. "Yes I can."

Leading me to the door, Dr. Hiromu opened the door with a twist from the tips of his fingers. Inside, his office was the definition of cleanliness. On the right side of the wall stood his postgraduate degrees in Theoretical Science and Physics and certificates confirming his hard work and productivity. The left side of the wall featured various mementos: a college yearbook picture, pages of interest from dimensional space science publications, and a steel katana. His back wall was empty. At this desk were three large stacks of paper, sorted by category, and a small stack of computer paper to the right. Just in front of the chair, a pen embellished with an amber-colored mineral and a single gold stud half-way down the writing utensil.

"Make yourself comfortable," he said, walking casually to his seat. "If you want to stand, of course, you may do that as well."

Before sitting, I closed the door behind us. I presumed Dr. Hiromu's callousness was out of effort to make him seem laidback when discussing casual matters.

"What is it you wanted to discuss, Dr. Hiromu?"

Although our conversation hadn't started, he immediately began scribbling down notes on his piece of paper. "I've been meaning to ask for a few days; how has your stay with the Ichinoses been?"

Sure of myself, I nodded. "An honor; Kotomi is the spitting image of her parents.

Once she's grown, I'm sure she will have just as much impact on the scientific community as they did."

"Excellent," he smiled only briefly, returning to his notes directly afterwards. "How is she holding up after her parents' passing?"

Flinching at his frankness, I nonetheless responded calmly. "She's been doing quite well. While she has displayed intense traumatic relapses, her general behavior is surprisingly unaffected by the event. It helps that her best friend, Okazaki Tomoya, has continued to visit her."

"Outstanding," he straightened up from his hunched posture. "There are times I wish I could discuss nothing but such heartwarming developments. Nevertheless, we have other business to attend to."

"Yes," I agreed. "Go on,"

He smiled. "I don't know whether you heard, but we've hit a major breakthrough in developing the transformation vessel. In attempting to interact with pocket dimensions, the Ichinoses experimented with technology that might be able to tap into space outside our own. In the past couple of days, we've been able to tap into the space-time continuum of such a world using the super computer we've been experimenting with."

My eyes widened. "You know they exist?"

He beamed proudly. "Yes, we do. And with them comes a great amount of the power we need to supply the machine. Thanks to this discovery alone, we are much closer to completing the project."

"How close?" I asked. Another smirk crossed his face.

"We may well have a prototype in the next six months."

I flew up from my seat. "'The next six months'?"

"The Ichinoses were not exaggerating when they said there could be millions of these pocket dimensions," with no warning, he returned to writing on his piece of paper. "While individually, these dimensions don't have much power to manipulate, gathering thousands or even tens of thousands of them at a time might give us the output we need. If I'm correct, the only concern we'd have left would be actually crafting the device."

I swallowed. I had grossly underestimated Dr. Hiromu's abilities; already, we were close to having a prototype of the Ichinoses' device ready. I was starting to understand why people rallied behind him so quickly.

"How confident are you in this allotted date?"

"Well, I'm not bold enough to reveal an exact date, but . . . " he threw his hand through his neatly combed hair. "I'm sure of my estimate."

"This is incredible," I remarked. "In just half-a-year, the Ichinoses will have their work recognized world-wide."

"Indeed," he stood up from his seat and strode towards me. Holding my gaze in a meaningful stare, he clasped my right shoulder with his hand. "All of the work we've done so far we'll be worth it."

This lasted for about a minute. Finally, he released my shoulder, and approached the door.

"Let's inform our co-workers of this development, shall we?"

Edited July 24 7:42 PM